Texas Baptist leaders lay off 29 employees

Published: Wednesday, October 03, 2007

ASSOCIATED PRESS

DALLAS (AP) - Texas Baptist leaders laid off 29 employees this week during what they acknowledged are tough budget times.

Last week, the Baptist General Convention of Texas put together a 2008 budget that calls for spending about $50.1 million, about a $500,000 decrease from this year's blueprint. It must receive final approval during an annual meeting later this month in Amarillo.

On Monday and Tuesday, the Dallas-based state convention told the workers their posts would be eliminated at the end of the month. The largest Baptist state convention in the country has 2.3 million members and more than 300 employees.

Of the employees affected, 12 are program staff. The others work in support and clerical roles.

The convention is creating four other positions that will combine functions of eight jobs being eliminated. Employees affected by the cuts will be able to apply for the new roles, Gunter said.